Subriel Matias Isn’t Worried About Setbacks, Eager To Fight Back At Home This Weekend
Subriel Matias has been here before.
The previous owner’s condition is a new version of the legend known as the Boricua knockout artist. A loss to Liam Paro on June 15 destroyed the home of Puerto Rico and ended his IBF 140-pound title.
This weekend begins the next chapter, the next returning story.
“What had to happen, happened,” said Matias A ring. “He who should have won our fight won and, as a fighter, I took my lesson from it. God works in mysterious ways, and his message is well received.”
Matias (20-2, 20 knockouts), The Ring’s No. 6-rated junior welterweight, returns this Saturday against San Diego’s Roberto Ramirez (26-3-1, 19 KOs). Their scheduled ten-round bout will be a PPV.com event from the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, PR.
It is the second consecutive fight on the island for Matias, his loss to Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) was broadcast live on DAZN from Manati. A sold-out crowd filled the Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz for Matias’ first home fight in nearly five years.
The official result was far from the desired result.
So, too, was the defeat of Matias’ decision of Feb. 2020 to Petros Ananyan in Las Vegas.
He learned that night and won five straight knockouts. Four came against undefeated opposition, including his fifth-round title-winning stoppage of Jeremias Ponce last Feb. 25. Another was the suspension of Ananyan on Jan. 2022 to avenge his lone defeat at that time.
The conditions were different, according to the support system. Matias signed with Premier Boxing Champions shortly before his loss to Ananyan. He stayed with them in the aforementioned five-fight knockout streak and two wins in IBF title fights.
Matias’ loss to Paro came at the start of a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing. That agreement no longer exists, as the two sides have split.
The first group is still standing.
“I’m still working with Fresh Productions,” commented Matias. “The doors are always open to all promoters. I can fight anyone I want as long as Fresh Productions is involved. It is the company that made me a world champion.”
Fresh Productions, led by Juan Orengo, headlines Saturday’s Pay-Per-View event. Ironically, it clashes with Matchroom on DAZN featuring IBF-listed welterweight Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs). 115-pound ring champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs) defends his title in the main event.
Matias will also be without the services of coach Jacob ‘Panda’ Najar. A good split happened after Matias’ last fight and before this one, due to scheduling constraints. Matias trained at Najar’s gym in Mexico, but wanted to be close to home with his daughters for this fight.
“I have been through many coaches in my career,” explained Matias. “Each one contributed his own [wisdom] to me. Panda and I had four fights together and became the world champion. We still get along, Panda and his team are leading the way.
“In this fight, I wanted to practice for PR Tomorrow, who knows. Anything can happen.”
What needs to happen now is for Matias to win this weekend.
Ramirez has won three in a row. However, his last loss was in November 2020 against William Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs). Matias was a stable player in The Ring’s No. 3-rated lightweight during his time with Najar.
The odds suggest a foregone conclusion this weekend. Some books have Matias as a 50/1 betting favorite this weekend.
The biggest challenge would be getting enough people into the sport to pay attention.
Matias isn’t just the best player on Saturday’s show; he is the only one. The $39.95 PPV price tag—at best—is ambitious. Few balls will be in his fight back, although a lot of local support is expected.
That is the most important part, why Matias does not lose focus on what is really important.
“To be back in front of our people, I’m happy with how quickly this happened,” Matias said. “Juan Orengo and Fresh Productions trust me to rise and become a champion again. It is a privilege.”
